Jump-spark collector



Jan. 13. 1925.

JUMP SPABK COLLECTOR Filed Jan. 11, 1921 W. E. SCHWARZMAN N 3 mnmtm Wo/fqzmq f. 5mwarzm0/7/7 Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WOLFGANG E- SCHWARZMANN, OF LONGMEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BOSCH MAGNETO CORPORATION, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

A coaroan'rron or NEW YORK.

JUMP-SPARK COLLECTOR.

Application filed January 11, 1921. Serial No. 436,624.

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WOLFGANG E. SoHwARzMANN', a citizen of the United States, residing at 51 Belleclaire Avenue,

Longmeadow, in the county of Hampden,

State-of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in J ump Spark Collectors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to collectors for magnetos, such as are used in ignition systems for internal combustion motors.

In magneto collectors it was usual heretofore to provide the collector with a smooth conducting surface in the form of a ring or one or more segments of a ring, and a collecting brush in sliding contact therewith. This construction requires the use of carbon or the like as the material of the brush, which not only Wears down but also tracks the ring with carbon which reduces the electric resistance between the segments.

In accordance with one part of the invention, the collector has one or more conducting surfaces in the form of a ring or segments thereof and a collecting electrode suitably mounted in the casing of the magneto with the inner terminal of the electrode separated from the conducting surfaces to form a jump spark gap between them, thus eliminating the wear and tracking. If desired, the surface my be serrated, preferably in the form of a knurled surface, so as to form a series of sparking points to aid the jumping of the spark.

A still further part of the invention, whether or not the conducting surface on the collector be serrated or knurled, is to make the electrode hollow so as to permit air circulation and to aid in cooling the electrode from the heat generated by the sparks, and also to provide the electrode with an annular groove forv anchoring or maintaining it in fixed position in its mounting in the easing of the magneto.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred and modified embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the collector and an end of a magneto, constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2is a top plan view with parts shown in section; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4: is asimilar view of Fig. 3 of a collector having a plurality of segments for use with a duplex or two-spark type of ignition system.,

Referring more particularly to the draw-.

ing the magneto has a casing 1 in. which is rotatably located a rotor2 having a shaft 3 supported in ball bearings Lin an end portion 5 of the casing. The shaft 3 carries, between the rotor and the bearings, a-collector spool 6 having a metallic .ring 7 in electrical connection with the secondarycoil of the rotor in the usual manner. j Q

Upon the end of the casing above the spool 6, is mounted an electrode or brush cap 8 of hard rubber or similar material, se-

cured in position by a screw .9 threaded into the casing portion 5, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cap 8 has molded therein a hollow insert member or electrode 10, preferably of brass, the inner or upper end of which is bored and threaded to receive a screw 11 having a suitably tapered or sharpened point 12 for piercing into and through the end of the lead 13. The body portion of the electrode may be provided with an annular recess 14 for receiving an integral molded projection of the cap which prevents the loosening of the insert in the cap. By making the electrode hollow, its radiating surface is increased. A

The conducting surface of the ring 7 is serrated or knurled so as to provide a plurality of projections orsparking points 15 thereon. The terminal or end 16 of the insert 10 is separated from-the serrated or knurled surface 15 of the collector so as to provide therebetween a spark gap across which a jump-spark may pass from the points 15 to the terminal. 16. I I

The collector, however, may be made with two or more segments 7 with serrated or knurled surfaces so as to present a pluralit of projections or sparking points 15', wit

which may co-operate two or more collecting to the etliciency and strength of the spark at the spark plugs in the cylinders of the engine. By providing the collector With two segments and collecting electrodes the sparks may be furnished with a duplex or twospark system of ignition in which the two spark plugs of each cylinder are simultaneously operated to ignite the explosive charges therein at at least two points.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. ln a magneto, in combination, a wound armature, a casing, a. collector carried by said armature to rotate therewith and having a serrated conducting surface, and an electrode mounted in the casing with its inher terminal separated from the serrated surface for forming a jump spark gap therewith.

In a magneto, in combimuiion, a wound armature, a casing, a collector carr ed by said armature to rotate tlierevsiili and having a conducting surface which is r ughened to form a plurality of sparking: points, and an electrode mounted in the casing; with its inner terminal separated from the roughened surface for forming a jump spark gap therewith.

3. In a magneto, in combination, a wound armature, a casing a collector carried by said armature to rotate therewith and having a conducting surface, and a hollow collecting electrode mounted in said casin with its inner terminal separated from sai surface for forming a jump spark gap therewith.

4. In a magneto, in combination, a Wound armature, a casing, a collector carried b said armature to rotate therewith and having a conducting surface, and a hollow collecting electrode mounted in the casing with its inner terminal separated from said surface for forming a jump spark gap therewith, said electrode having an annular groove for maintaining said electrode in fixed relation in its mounting.

In testimony whereof. I aflix my signature.

WOLFGANG E. SGHWABZ MANN. 

